The town consists of the centres of Ellnrode, Gemünden (Wohra), Grüsen, Herbelhausen, Lehnhausen, Schiffelbach and Sehlen.

Gemünden was formed out of seven villages: Holzbach, Giebelingsbach, Burghardshausen, Ernstdorf, Steigershausen, Osterbach and Katzbach The town's first documentary mentions come from the years 750 to 779, under the name Zegemunde.

This historical fact is even seen in the town's coat of arms, showing a black bird in a white field with red claws, a goat's head (Ziege is German for goat) and a six-pointed star under each wing.

The war years in the 17th and 18th centuries not only destroyed Gemünden's emerging cultural life, but also exacted heavy sacrifices.

Throughout the centuries, Gemünden had a lively Jewish community numbering about 70 persons until their deportation to concentration camps at 1941/1942.

[3] The town council's 23 seats are apportioned thus, in accordance with municipal elections held on 26 March 2006: Note: Bürgerliste is a "citizens' list" rather than an actual party.